An Open Letter to Venezuelan Physicians

www.vheadline.com Posted: Tuesday, December 31, 1996 By: Suzanne Hart

Date: 30 Dec 1996 22:45:28 -0600 To: News.Desk@vheadline.com From: suzhart@dave-world.net (Suzanne Hart) Subject: An Open Letter to Venezuelan Physicians

Hippocrates Revisited: It is fair and just that the united doctors of Venezuela rebel against the Venezuelan government regarding financial incentives, proper economic remuneration and fair wages as should be assured under the law. There is no cause so just as this, and it is clear to any foreign observer that reform is not so much demanded as required for the continued commonwealth of both the physicians and the general populace of Venezuela. No government has the authority to require any segment of the population to perform specialized tasks of obvious skill and educational bias without due consideration of a fair and material nature.

However, it strikes the American heart as unconscionable to deliberately and premeditatedly ignore the suffering and potential morbidity of one's fellow citizens in any act of self-righteous protest. Hippocrates did not allow for financial considerations to qualify the value of life. And not one of your suffering brothers and sisters places a political agenda on his or her life. Thus, I beg of you, Doctors of Venezuela, do not forsake your oath, your belief in God's purpose for you, or your original call to your profession in an attempt to force your government to hear you. The people still need you, and they are your route to justice. Do not betray your brothers for the sake of your cause. Surely you can see that this will ultimately weaken your position and cause untold pain among your supporters.

Demand your rights, but do so with compassion and within the bounds of your Hippocratic oath. You will win by justice; not with the sacrifice of your fellow man. For that is the road to destruction, death and untold guilt.

Suzanne Hart American Watching suzhart@dave-world.net